Are Your Children Shackled By Being...

Discouraged from Participating in American Culture?

Idaho Court Decision: P. 32 “This is not simply a minor difference in some religious philosophy that does not impact day-to-day functioning, but involves grave differences pertaining to opinions about health care, education, civic and military roles, and even competitive sports."

Forced Not to Associate with Non-JWs?

Kansas Court Decision: 37. ...The principal concern identified by the respondent on trial was the Jehovah's Witness belief and practice of shunning and having no contact with persons, except as absolutely necessary for business, who are non-Jehovah's Witnesses or who are "disfellowshipped". The persons to be shunned are all non-Jehovah's Witnesses, including relatives, even one's mother, father, brothers, sisters and extended family and any and all other persons, including school mates and playmates who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. According to Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs and practices, all non-Jehovah's Witnesses and all institutions, other than the Jehovah's Witness organization, are "of the devil" or "of Satan."...

Discouraged from Enrolling in Higher Education?

Kansas Court Decision: 28. They are discouraged from seeking a college education or to enter the professional studies.Louisiana Court Decision: P. 4 He and others also testified that the Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in formal education and in fact discourage it. There was additional testimony that formal education is not important to them because they believe that the world will come to an end shortly - the year 2000 was mentioned and therefore, more time should be spent preparing for this event then in obtaining an education.

Isolated By Fear of Doomsday Predictions?

Idaho Court Decision: P. 34 The Jehovah's Witness faith teaches that only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive Armageddon.Idaho Court Decision: CONCLUSIONS OF LAW p. 39 The Court does conclude, however, that there is clear evidence that the religious differences of the parents has affected and will continue to affect the well being of the children...there are some practices that are so detrimental to the best interest of the children that the Court cannot permit them, whether characterized a 'religious practice' or otherwise. For example, the children cannot be taught that their father will or may die soon, regardless of whether that teaching comes because he is not of the Jehovah's Witness faith, or because Armageddon may come soon, or for any other reason. The only logical effect of such conduct (whether well-meaning or otherwise) is to cause the children to withdraw from their father, and cling to their mother as the only likely survivor of some upcoming catastrophe.

Prevented From Receiving Life-Saving Medical Care?

Idaho Court Decision: P. 33 The Jehovah's Witness faith precluded a parent from authorizing a whole blood transfusion, even if the doctor told the parent the child would die without it. The court allowed testimony in this area as it might tend to affect the health or welfare of the children in the future.

Battling Over the Children

See what experts, judges, attorneys, and former members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses say about legal issues surrounding the Watchtower Society and custody cases.